The Assault Group,
known for their modern miniatures, launched a new range of Samurai miniatures
, but as opposed to those from most competitors, the TAG figures are designed
for warfare from the Gempei period in feudal Japan. The range aims to
give all the characters and followers for the Civil war in 12th and 13th
century and will also be suitable for the Yuan Chinese (Mongol) invasions.
This new project is the start of a range of miniatures that will cover
Japanese, Chinese, Mongols, Koreans and Central Asian kingdoms in an age
of dynamic change and lightning war. The initial release offers twelve
packs (and two special offer figures), and includes Samurai (mounted and
on foot), monks and followers. The figures are designed by in
house sculptor Seth Nash.

Right,
let's take a first look at the figures. They come packed in blisters of
four, with an attractive black & white backing card displaying the
TAG Gempei wars logo. Casting on the figures themselves looks good, with
no missing details. There is a little flash on some of the weapons and
a couple figures have some between the head and shoulder (most probably
unavoidable due to the big helmets and pose of the figures in question).
There's nothing here that can't be quickly removed.

The
weapons on these figures are very thin (and more realistically proportioned
than most). This looks great but has the unfortunate side-effect that
they will bend easily. Still, this is a minor price to pay as the resulting
figure only looks better for it. Just be careful when you're "unbending"
the naginata's so that you don't break the shaft. All figures come with
solid bases.

Sizewise,
the TAG samurai figures come in at about 27-28mm , measured from the eyes
to the soles of their feet. To the top of head they're about 30-31mm,
but part of that is really the helmet. Click on the image to enlarge.

Prices are
£4.95 for 4 foot models and £7.95 for 3 cavalry. As always,
there are the TAG special offers which are 6 packs for £35 each
and come with a free limited edition figure.

Now, for a
more detailed review of the subjects of this initial release, I have decided
to split up the page into 3 parts, which you can access from here:

Samurai on foot, with katana, with bow and with tachi.

Mounted samurai command, with bow and with katana.

Monks
with naginata and with bow, followers with naginata and special offer figures.